MUSEUM CHRONICLES ARRESTING HISTORY OF DUBAI POLICE
This hidden gem goes beyond crime headlines and explores the force’s investigative methods through the years, writes Nawal Al Ramahi
At a time when policing has increasingly become dominated by advanced technology and high-tech gadgets, Dubai Police Museum offers a look at the more traditional beginnings of law enforcement in the emirate.
Hidden within the police headquarters in Al Twar, it is a surprising treat for crime buffs and history enthusiasts.
From the early telecommunication devices used to some of the unusual drug busts of the 1980s, the museum tells the story of Dubai Police from the early days to its place as the world-renowned force that it is today.
The museum, established on November 19, 1987, has spent 30 years charting the history and scientific investigative methods of Dubai Police, which was founded in 1956.
The displays feature documents, awareness brochures, department and unit briefs, old military uniforms, photographs and logos stretching back to the force’s early days.
The establishment of a female unit is also covered.
Lt Mansoor Al Mansoori, head of the museum, said: “Dubai Police Museum has seven kinds of exhibits, including those about military and technical equipment, investigation and criminal evidence, as well as social participations.”
Visitors are greeted by portraits of Dubai’s leaders and senior officials, top police officers and a portrait of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, from the days when he was the head of Dubai Police Force and the Dubai Defence Force in 1968.
Inside the museum, visitors will find displays of memorabilia from Dubai Police’s golden jubilee celebrations in 2006. A fire ripped through the museum the same year, but fortunately most of the artefacts were saved.
Police officer uniforms for the force and the academy – worn since 1975 – are also on display, and so is vintage equipment.
“Dubai police used a Marconi digital frequency meter before 1980,” said Lt Al Mansoori.
“Radar flasher units were used before 1976 to ensure that motorists abided by the speed limit.”
Women in Dubai Police
One of the highlights of the museum is the history of its female police force. The first Emirati female police officer in Dubai – and the UAE – was Tofaha Al Hamed, appointed in the 1960s. Yet it was not until 1977 that the female force was established. The first wave of women included 18 students who were trained at a police training school in Jumeirah for four months.
Major drug busts
This section highlights the weirdest methods used by drug smugglers in attempts to bring their products into the country. Inspectors have discovered drugs hidden in shipments of oranges, walnuts, almonds and slippers. Police foiled a bid at Dubai airport in 1987 to smuggle in heroin hidden in a photo album inside a Samsonite bag. The fingerprints of the culprits are on display.
Traffic awareness campaigns
These were introduced in the 1980s. The posters, pamphlets and brochures distributed to motorists as part of the second traffic awareness campaign organised by Dubai Police are on show at the museum. “Dear reader,” one poster reads. “A large number of people are injured or become disabled as a result of the rise in car accidents. Therefore, Dubai Police’s public relations visited one of the victims of a traffic accident in 1984. The victim told police officers that the cause of the accident was driving at a speed of 220kph and said that he regrets driving recklessly.” The victim of the crash was 19 years old, it says.
Punitive and correctional establishments
A brief about the history of punitive establishments is posted on the wall of a section at the museum. The first punitive and correctional establishment was in Dubai’s oldest existing building, Al Fahidi castle. In the mid-1950s, Naif Fort was used. Dubai Central Jail was established in 1973 in Al Aweer, in line with Dubai Police’s strategy to focus on reforming prisoners rather than punishing them. The punitive and correctional establishments have now been revamped to include recreational facilities and workshops for prisoners to learn crafts.
Forensic laboratory
A forensic laboratory was established in 1981 as an affiliate of the Dubai Police criminal investigation department, and later became part of the general department of forensic science and criminology. The museum displays its work in such areas as criminal chemistry, forensic toxins, fire-fighting, weapons and equipment, and biological and genetic fingerprinting.